Military decides to allow limited smoking for cadets... Marriage and pregnancy are not permitted

(Gyeryong = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Cheol-seon = Military authorities have decided to allow limited smoking for Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets in accordance with the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of National Defense on the 19th to the office of Rep. Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, the Ministry of National Defense decided to accept 'limited smoking in designated areas' in accordance with the recommendation of the Human Rights Commission.

Until now, smoking by cadets was prohibited regardless of whether it was inside or outside the base, but in response to the recommendation of the Human Rights Commission, which was made with the aim of improving the living conditions of cadets, it was decided to allow smoking, even if only on a limited basis.

In the past, the 'no marriage, no drinking, and no smoking' system was strictly enforced for cadets, prohibiting three activities including marriage, drinking, and smoking. However, in response to criticism that it was an overly harsh regulation of life, the three-income system was gradually relaxed.

Among the three prohibitions, the no-drinking rule was first relaxed in 2016 to the extent that it does not damage the dignity of cadets outside of school, and this time, the no-smoking rule was also relaxed.

In addition, the Ministry of National Defense accepted the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission, including ▲ allowing in principle the wearing of civilian clothes when leaving the country, ▲ allowing free use of dormitories during public lectures, and ▲ improving accessibility to medical care by simplifying the medical treatment permit process.

However, the recommendation to 'relax or abolish marriage and pregnancy restrictions', which is one of the three prohibitions on marriage, was still not accepted.

The Ministry of National Defense stated the reason for non-acceptance, saying, "Cadet life and education and training are interrupted due to leave of absence and return to school due to pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, and the dropout rate may increase due to limitations in balancing cadet life and family, which limits the achievement of the military academy's educational purpose."